How Is CBRE Improving Water Efficiency In Real Estate?

Water is a critical component for building operations, particularly for high-demand sectors such as data centres and advanced manufacturing. CBRE manages a global network of almost 743 million square metres (eight billion square feet), with these properties estimated to consume more than 378 billion litres (100 billion gallons) of water each year.

To advance water efficiency across the commercial real estate sector, global real estate services company CBRE is collaborating with Ecolab, a leader in water and hygiene solutions. This partnership is designed to assist clients in reducing water consumption and associated costs, aligning with CBRE's broader corporate sustainability objectives.

Through its partnership with Ecolab, CBRE aims to lower water usage, improve water quality and enhance operational performance across its managed portfolio.

Improving water efficiency and quality

The collaboration will provide CBRE’s clients with access to Ecolab’s water technologies alongside CBRE’s real estate services. This integration offers a holistic water management solution, enabling businesses to improve operational efficiency, lower costs by reducing water use and potentially unlock value within their supply chains.

Ecolab utilises science-based solutions and data-driven insights to help maintain clean environments and optimise water conservation for its clients.

"We are focused on creating value for our clients by solving their biggest sustainability challenges, and water is increasingly important, especially in sectors like data centers, life sciences and advanced manufacturing," says Rob Bernard, Chief Sustainability Officer at CBRE.

"The combined expertise and scale of CBRE and Ecolab creates an advantage for companies in addressing their end-to-end water needs and has the potential to transform water use in the industry."

Improving performance through conservation

Ecolab has a track record of helping customers worldwide implement smarter water use within their supply chains. According to Ecolab, in 2024 its programmes helped customers save 855 billion litres (226 billion gallons) of water, reduce 4.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and conserve 65 trillion BTU of energy. It also delivered US$9.1bn in cumulative value, which could suggest that sustainable solutions and business development can be complementary.

"Water is central to operational impact and profitable growth for many businesses," adds Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab.

"In manufacturing, up to 75% of energy flows through water systems-making water efficiency a powerful lever for climate resilience and business performance. Through our partnership with CBRE, we're working to help clients unlock value through smarter operations, improved efficiency and measurable impact."

Integrating sustainability into business strategy

This partnership represents a key step in CBRE's efforts to further its supply chain sustainability and ethics measures. CBRE's corporate responsibility focus is structured around three main areas which are a low carbon future, a thriving workplace and leading with integrity. By integrating Ecolab's expertise, CBRE is taking practical steps toward its goal of working toward zero carbon across its value chain.

The initiative provides a framework for CBRE's clients to address their environmental impact by optimising water usage. As every company depends on water for some part of its operations, this partnership between CBRE and Ecolab offers a pathway to potentially achieve both environmental benefits and continued business growth.